North Hill has always been a diverse community filled with hard-working people searching for HOME.
Akron's "Rubber Boom" in the early 1900's brought European immigrants to North Hill in search of a better life in America. They built homes, started businesses, and put down roots in our neighborhood that are still visible today. As the 20th century progressed, North Hill continued to welcome new groups of people. First, African American families fleeing the Jim Crow South during the Great Migration, and later, immigrants from Central and South America came to North Hill, further adding to the neighborhood "melting pot."
However, after years of disinvestment during the end of the 20th century, North Hill had become a struggling community in need of revitalization. All of this changed when thousands of refugees from all over the world were resettled in North Hill beginning in the early 2000s. Over the past 25 years, our new neighbors have opened up businesses and found ways to share their unique cultures, breathing life into a once stagnant community.
This influx of new neighbors has created momentum towards neighborhood revitalization but has also created several challenges for families in search of quality, affordable housing.
However, after years of disinvestment during the end of the 20th century, North Hill had become a struggling community in need of revitalization. All of this changed when thousands of refugees from all over the world were resettled in North Hill beginning in the early 2000s. Over the past 25 years, our new neighbors have opened up businesses and found ways to share their unique cultures, breathing life into a once stagnant community.
This influx of new neighbors has created momentum towards neighborhood revitalization but has also created several challenges for families in search of quality, affordable housing.
North Hill Housing Challenges
Rising Housing CostsDue to the large number of immigrants and refugees that have settled in our neighborhood in recent years, North Hill is one of the few Akron neighborhoods that has seen a population growth in the 21st century.
This population growth has increased demand for housing that has not been met by the construction of new housing units, leading to rising monthly rent across the neighborhood. |
Falling Homeownership RatesHistorically, North Hill has had high rates of homeownership, with the majority of homes in the neighborhood being owner-occupied until the early 2000's.
However, due to the financial crisis of 2008, many North Hill homeowners lost their home to foreclosure. Many of these homes were purchased by property investors who converted them to rental properties, leading to a homeownership rate of just 39% according to the 2020 census. |
Challenging ConditionsThe majority of homes in the neighborhood are over 100 years old. Many homes are in need of significant updates; however, to maximize monthly revenue, property owners often fail to address long-term issues, leading to challenging living conditions.
Similarly, North Hill families who are interested in homeownership often lack the skills and resources to fully renovate homes that hit the market, causing them to have to leave the neighborhood to become homeowners. |